The Use of Rifles 
for Game and 



GV 1177 
.L2 
Copy 1 



.Target ... 



A Splendid Guide for Sports- 
men on the Selection, 
Sighting and Shoot- 
ing of Rifles. 





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The Use of Rifles 

for Game and 

...Target... 

By Q*s/Landis 



An indispensable Guide for 
Every Sportsman 



11 II II 



1922 

Sportsman's Digest 
cincinnati 






Copyright, 1922 
Sportsman's Digest 
All Rights Reserved 



JUN k6 IS22 

©CI.AI577297 
1^© 



/ 



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Introduction 

THIS booklet has been prepared to help 
you choose, sight in, and shoot a rifle 
so that its possession and use may result 
in the maximum amount of satisfaction and 
pleasure. 

Methods of sighting, stocking, targeting, 
trigger-pull-adjustment, and rifle practice are 
described ; which if followed, will add greatly 
to the effectiveness and enjoyment with which 
any standard sporting or target rifle may be 
used. 

Each subject is discussed with as few tech- 
nical terms as possible so that both the be- 
ginner and the shooter of more matured ex- 
perience may grasp the information it contains 
and by following that portion of it best adapted 
to their needs, may sometime be enabled to 
more fully appreciate : 

A few hours in the woods or on the trail — 

Your favorite rifle on your shoulder or in 
your hand — 

And the love of the woods and range en- 
shrined in your breast — 
Add the finishing touches to a scene which 
will make you at peace with your sur- 
roundings. 
If you have ever been there you will surely 
go again. If not, you have missed one of the 
most wonderful experiences of life. 

C. S. Landis. 



®tp> lm> txf ftfcs for 
(Same ant (Hargrt 



CHAPTER I. 
Choosing a Rifle 

THE all-around rifle has, at one time or 
another, been the dream and the hope 
of nearly every practical rifleman. But 
even so, the problem has never been solved. 

Shooting conditions, both in the hunting 
field and on the target range, and among dif- 
ferent classes of sportsmen; vary so greatly 
that one type, caliber, or power of weapon, 
could not possibly meet all demands. 

Big-game and small-game hunting, long- 
range and short-range target shooting, and 
modern warfare ; each demand separate 
classes of weapons. In addition, each nation 
or class of people seem to have different ideas 
regarding the design of each of these types 
of weapons. Consequently the man who is 
just taking up rifle shooting, or who is about 
to engage in another form of it; is confronted 
with an assortment of weapons, both as to 
type of action, caliber, and appearance; that 
is often quite puzzling to choose from. 

Our present day American rifles in common 
use are divided into five -general classes, 
usually known as : 

5 



The Use of Rifles. 



1. Big-game rifles, 

2. Small-game rifles, 

3. Long-range, target or match rifles, 

4. Short-range, target or match rifles, 

5. Military rifles. 

These in turn are divided into several dif- 
ferent types, the most common of which are : 
semi-automatic, commonly known as auto- 
loading and self-loading rifles ; bolt-action, 
repeating; lever-action, repeating; trombone, 
slide, or pump-action, repeating ; and lever, 
rolling-block, or bolt-action, single-shot rifles. 

In a booklet of this size it is impossible to 
go very much into detail regarding the de- 
scription of each and every model of rifle now 
in common use in America, and still devote 
the proper amount of space to their sighting, 
adjustment and use. We will also be unable 
to freely discuss the relative advantages of 
using different types of action, or cartridges, 
for each form of game and target shooting. 

It is possible, however, to give these mat- 
ters enough consideration to point out the 
most striking advantages possessed by each 
of the different styles, and to state the uses 
to which they are best adapted. 

Nearly all of our present-day, American, 
sporting and target rifles are manufactured 
by the following firms — which should be ad- 
dressed as follows, when seeking catalogs or 
information : 




PRACTICAL WOODS TARGET PRACTICE. 

A good example of the offhand accuracy obtainable 
at 200 paces with a properly-fitted, sighted and ad- 
justed sporting-rifle. Ten shots inside the outline. 



Choosing a Rifle. 



Winchester Repeating Arms Company, 

New Haven, Conn. 

Remington Arms Company, Inc., 
Cunard Building, 

25 Broadway, New York City. 
Savage Arms Corporation, Utica, N. Y. 
The Marlin Firearms Corporation, 

New Haven, Conn. 

J. Stevens Arms Company, 

Chicopee Falls, Mass. 

Chas. Newton Rifle Corporation, 

1083 Ellicott Square, Buffalo, N. Y. 

An examination of the latest catalogs will 
give anyone a good idea of what is supplied 
by each commercial, manufacturer, and what 
it will cost. 

The Springfield rifles are manufactured by 
the United States Government, which also 
made the Krag. For particulars regarding 
their purchase, address : 

Director of Civilian Marksmanship, 
Woodward Building, 

Washington, D. C. 

They are sold only to members of the 
National Rifle Association, the annual dues 
of which are $2.00. 

A visit to any large sporting goods store 
will provide the opportunity to examine stock- 
fit, balance, finish, and relative desirability, 
and "feel" of many of the different types and 
makes of rifles. The trigger-pulls will vary 
with individual weapons. 



The Use of Rifles. 



The rifle experts who handle the "Guns and 
Ammunition" Departments of the various 
American sporting magazines which cater to 
riflemen, receive more first-hand information 
in regard to the manner in which various 
makes and calibers of rifles are regarded by 
riflemen as a class, than probably any other 
equal number of men. Their opinions are 
naturally influenced largely by the letters and 
suggestions which they receive. It is rather 
significant that almost to a man they use and 
recommend the .30-1906 cartridge, as the most 
generally-satisfactory big-game load. This 
cartridge develops sufficient recoil, however, 
to be annoying to those not accustomed to the 
use of the more powerful, high-power rifles. 

Rifles for it include the Springfield sporter, 
.30-1906 Cal. Model 1903, U. S. rifle; (con- 
verted to a sporting rifle) : Remington Model 
30, bolt-action; Winchester Model 1895, lever- 
action ; and Newton and Mauser bolt-action 
repeaters. 

The .300 Savage, which is made in both bolt 
and lever actions, uses a shorter cartridge 
which develops the same muzzle velocity and 
energy as the .30-1906-150-2700 service charge. 

Among the most widely used and most popu- 
lar big-game cartridges at present are : 

.30-30 Winchester, 
.30-1906 Springfield, 
.32 Winchester Special, 
.250-3000 Savage, 
.30-40 Krag, 



Choosing a Rifle. 



.30 Remington Rimless, 
.35 Remington Rimless, 
.44-40 Winchester, 
.405 Winchester. 

The .30-30 is more widely used in the United 
States and Canada at present, than is any 
other high-power cartridge. It is accurate at 
hunting ranges, and is of moderate killing- 
power. It is sold at a reasonable price, and 
can be obtained practically anywhere in Amer- 
ica. The .30-30 is generally used for shooting 
deer and similar game. 

The .30-30 rifle, especially in carbine style, 
is very popular among trappers, backwoods- 
hunters, ranchmen, and others who use a high- 
power rifle very frequently and carry it almost 
constantly, but who are not high-velocity or 
big-bore cranks. 

This cartridge is used in the Model 1894 
Winchester, Model 93 Marlin, and Model 1899 
Savage, lever - action repeaters. The .30 
Remington cartridge has the same ballistics and 
takes the place of the .30-30 in the Remington 
Model 14 slide or pump-action repeater, and 
the Model 8 auto-loading rifle. 

The .32 Special is a very similar cartridge 
but in .32 Caliber. It develops about 10 per 
cent more muzzle energy, and is sold for the 
same price. Rifles for it include the Model 
1894 Winchester and Model 93 Marlin. The 
.32 Remington rimless, practically the .32 
Special in Rimless form, is used in the 



iO The Use of Rifles. 

Remington Model 14 pump-action and Model 8 
auto-loading repeaters. 

- The .250-3000 is a high-velocity, small-bore 
cartridge having good accuracy and very light 
recoil. The 87 grain bullet has a very flat 
trajectory over 300 yards, and kills well on 
shots where very deep penetration or bone- 
smashing qualities are not required. 

The Savage Lever-Action, Model 1899, and 
Bolt-Action Model 1920, are both made for it. 
The .25 Remington-rimless cartridge loaded 
with the 87 grain bullet, is very similar in bal- 
listics. It is used in the Models 14 and 8 
Remington rifles. 

These weapons, and also the .25-35 Win- 
chester, are very popular among many hunters 
who require a big-game rifle of moderate 
power, fine accuracy, flat trajectory and neg- 
ligible recoil. They also make good small- 
game rifles when reloaded with short-range 
charges. 

The .30-40 is a .30 caliber cartridge midway 
in power between the .30-30 and the .30-1906. 
It is a fine big-game cartridge when loaded 
with either 180 or 220 grain soft-point bullets; 
Fifteen or twenty years ago it occupied the 
position the .30-1906 now holds. Rifles for 
it include the Model 1895 Winchester lever- 
action repeater and the U. S. Model 1898, 
or Krag, bolt-action. 

The .35 Remington Rimless is a .35 caliber 
cartridge of good killing qualities, and mod- 




Thirty consecutive shots from a .22 target-rifle 
were fired at this 50-yard target. They scored 100, 
The center, or 10 ring, is one inch in 



99 and 99. 
diameter. 




Target shooting at 1,000 yards is very fascinating 
sport with a Springfield. The white spotter locates 
the bullet hole in the bullseye. 



Choosing a Rifle. 11 

erate power and range. It is used in the .35 
caliber Remington Model 8 auto-loading, and 
Model 14, pump-action, rifles, and is adapted 
to use on the heavier varieties of big game. 
The nearest Winchester cartridges are the .351 
self-loading, used in the Winchester Model '07, 
self-loading rifle, and the .35 W. C. F., used 
in the Model 1895 lever-action repeater. The 
.35 W. C. F. has twice the muzzle energy of 
the .351 cartridge, while the .35 Remington 
Auto is almost midway between. 

The .33 W. C. F. used in the Model 188G 
Winchester, is a very fine big-game cartridge 
of almost exactly the same ballistics as the 
.35 Remington Auto. When used in the 1886 
Winchester it makes a most excellent combina- 
tion to choose for deer, elk, bear and moose. 

The .44-40 cartridge, like the .38-40 and 
.3*2-20, first became famous in the Model 1873 
Winchester. It is still very popular for big- 
game shooting in wooded country, as hundreds 
of thousands of the Model 1873 and 1892 
Winchester, 1894 Marlin and Model 14 
Remington' rifles were made for it. It is 
distinctly a short-range cartridge and is 
greatly outclassed ballistically by many modern 
cartridges, but it is very cheap to use and kills 
cleanly within its range. 

The .405 Winchester is factory-made only 
in the Model 1895 lever-action Winchester. A 
few .405 barrels have been mounted on Spring- 
field bolt-actions and make very effective 
weapons. The .405 is used by many who prefer 



12 The Use of Riiies. 

a very powerful, large-caliber cartridge shoot- 
ing a heavy bullet, for big-game shooting. 
It is splendid for use on large bear, moose, 
elk, and similar game. Its recoil is heavy 
and may prove troublesome to those unused 
to the recoil of large - caliber, high - power 
rifles. 

Many other calibers of high-power cartridges 
are in use which will prove to be very satis- 
factory, but limited space does not allow a 
discussion of them here. Consult the catalogs 
of the ammunition manufacturers for ballistic 
tables and for prices. 

Small Game Rifles 

The vast majority of the small-game shoot- 
ing with rifles, that is enjoyed in this country, 
is done with the .22 caliber weapons. A large 
percentage of it is with the smallest, lightest, 
and cheapest styles of .22's, many of which 
are fitted with very crude and non-elevating 
sights. Consequently the .22 in many quarters 
has acquired the reputation of being rather 
a piffling and inconsequential weapon — es- 
pecially for game shooting. 

When the .22 long-rifle, hollow-point cart- 
ridge is used in a fine, heavy, target-rifle like 
the Model 52 Winchester or Stevens 414, or in 
one of the best grades of five to six-pound re- 
peaters like the Model 12-C Remington, 39 or 
38 Marlin, 1890 Winchester, or 1914 Savage, 
which is equipped with a good set of Lyman 
or Marble sights, or a telescope, there is a 



Choosing a Rifle. 13 

far different tale to tell. Squirrels, rabbits, 
ducks, crows, hawks, and the like will be killed 
nearly every shot up to 60 to 75 yards. From 
75 to 125 yards a fair percentage will be 
dropped. Over that, hits on game will nearly 
always be accidental. 

At the target the .22 long-rifle, match-cart- 
ridge is almost in a class by itself among 
lead-bullet, commercial ammunition, for accu- 
racy up to and including 100 yards. At 250 
yards it is very accurate. The long-rifle cart- 
ridge is much superior to, and should be chosen 
over, all other .22' s for small-game or target 
shooting. It combines cheapness, accuracy 
and reasonable killing power. 

For the larger varieties of small-game many 
shooters prefer a .25-20 or a .32-20 such as 
may be obtained in the Model 1892 Winchester, 
the Model 27 or 92 Marlin, or the Stevens 
Single-Shot. The .25-20 single-shot cartridge 
is a longer, but not more powerful, cartridge 
than the one used in the repeaters. Many 
who use these calibers reload their ammuni- 
tion. 

Many experimental riflemen and others who 
like to secure the most accurate results possi- 
ble, and who load their ammunition, have 
a .25 caliber, high-power Niedner barrel fitted 
to a Springfield, a Mauser, or to a Winchester 
single-shot action, by the Niedner Rifle Corpo- 
ration, of Dowagiac, Michigan. These 
weapons are very accurate, and when loaded 
with full-charge ammunition, are quite pow- 



14 The Use of Rifles. 

erful. Groups of two to three inches in di- 
ameter may be secured at 200 yards when using 
an 87 grain bullet at 3100 to 3300-foot seconds 
velocity. They make most excellent wood- 
chuck or coyote rifles. When loaded with a 
reduced charge, they are fine for squirrel 
shooting. 

Factory-loaded ammunition for the .25 H. P. 
Niedners is not obtainable at this time. 

Small-Bore Target or Match Rifles 

Small-bore or .22 caliber, target shooting is 
rapidly increasing in popularity in America. 
Regular, annual series of matches are pro- 
vided at 50 and 75-feet indoors, and at 50, 100 
and 200-yards, outdoors, by the National Rifle 
Association. Small-bore, outdoor-shooting is 
especially fascinating and is well worth the at- 
tention of any rifleman. Write for additional 
details to Woodward Building, Washington, 
D. C. 

Small-bore shooting requires good equip- 
ment and careful practice, as the 50 and 100- 
yard bullseyes contain 10 rings which are only 
one inch and two inches, respectively, in di- 
ameter. 

Among the most satisfactory American 
rifles for this form of target-shooting are the 
bolt-action, Model 52 Winchester; the Spring- 
field bolt-action .22; B. S. A. No. 12 single- 
shot ; Savage N. R. A. bolt-action ; the Win- 
chester single-shot musket ; and the Stevens 
Single-Shot Model 414. 



Choosing a Rifle. 15 

Many riflemen do a large amount of target- 
shooting of various kinds with the lighter re- 
peaters and the smaller and lighter single-shots. 
For general shooting they are quite satisfac- 
tory, but they lack the weight, adaptability to 
fine-sight equipment, and in some measure 
the close grouping and hair-splitting accuracy 
of the Special .22 match-rifles. 

Long-Range Target Rifles 

The .30-1906 Springfield service-rifle with 180 
or 170 grain match-ammunition is so superior 
as a long-range target-rifle, to other combi- 
nations, that it should always be chosen for 
this purpose. The .3Q-40 Krag is an accurate 
rifle, especially when shot with 180 grain 
match-ammunition, but is inferior in both ac- 
curacy and handiness, to the Springfield. 

Special heavy-barreled Springfields are also 
obtainable from the National Rifle Associa- 
tion for use in certain competitions at the 
National Matches. 

Choosing the Rifle 

Whether to choose a bolt-action, a lever- 
action, a pump-action, or a self-loading or 
auto-loading repeating rifle, depends very 
largely upon the past experience of the shooter, 
the type of country in which he will hunt, 
and the kind of game to be shot. 

The bolt-action is the most satisfactory for 
use with high-velocity, high-pressure cart- 
ridges like the .30-1906, .30-40, .303 British, 



16 . The Use of Rifles. 

.250-3000, and .300 Savage, .256 Newton, etc., 
as it develops less spring in the action than 
other types. This results in less expansion 
of the shells, which if stretched, are very 
difficult to reload — if that is desired. It is 
easier to clean from the breech than any other 
form of solid-frame rifle. 

On the average it is more accurate than 
other styles and is also well adapted to the 
use of receiver sights. 

On the other hand, the average hunter will 
find the bolt-action slower in operation than 
any other type of repeating rifle. The bolt 
handle often becomes partly raised when hunt- 
ing jn brush. This causes a hang-fire or a 
- misfire, unless the bolt is again fully closed 
before pulling the trigger. 

The breech-mechanism of the bolt-action is 
open and exposed to snow, rain, sand, and pine 
needles, and must be kept cleaned or it may 
freeze up or clog. It is also unhandy for the 
use of anyone who shoots from the left 
shoulder. 

The lever-action is well adapted to the use 
of all short-range cartridges and those of 
medium power. It is splendidly adapted to 
the fitting of peep sights on the tang, and to 
all styles of open-barrel sights, both front and 
rear. 

In the take-down form it can readily be 
cleaned from the breech, but the solid-frame 
lever-actions are rather hard to clean properly. 



Choosing a Rifle. 17 



The trigger-pun of the lever-action is by long- 
odds the best, on the average, of that of any 
type of repeating rifle. The lever-action is not 
well adapted to use in target-rifles of over .22 
caliber nor to use in the prone or lying-down 
position. 

The pump-action or slide-action appeals to 
many people who use slide-action repeating 
shotguns and who do not wish to change when 
shooting a rifle. It is the fastest type of action 
to use except the semi-automatic. 

For snap-shooting on a .22, it is ideal. It is 
not well adapted to use on a fine target-rifle, 
nor at present for use with cartridges of 
higher power than those used in the slide- 
action, Remington rifles. 

The auto-loading and self-loading rifles are 
well adapted for brush shooting at short range, 
for snap-shooting of all kinds, and for the use 
of the man who does so little rifle shooting 
that he is not proficient in the rapid and cer- 
tain operation of the different forms of hand- 
operated rifle-actions. These weapons are 
short and rather stubby in appearance and 
seldom appeal to the dyed-in-the-wool crank, 
but they do give the novice a faster and often 
a more sure-working weapon. 

It is a question, however, whether the so- 
called "green-horn" doesn't miss three-fourths 
of his game because he becomes excited and 
shoots too fast. In such cases he would do 
better to use a slower-operating weapon. 



18 The Use of Ritics. 

The final selection of a rifle should depend : 
first, upon the cartridge it uses ; second, upon 
a proper trigger-pull, or one which may be 
readily adjusted; next, the sights with which 
it is, or may be, fitted ; fourth, the stock fit 
and balance (a special stock can be fitted 
to any poorly-fitting rifle which will make 
it fit better); fifth, the type of action; and 
lastly, the fancy finish and general appear- 
ance which actually sells most sporting-weap- 
ons. 

A properly-fitting, accurately-sighted rifle of 
any standard make, and of any one of the 
calibers and types adapted to the work at 
hand, should be satisfactory. 



CHAPTER II. 
Choosing Rifle Ammunition 

RIFLE ammunition is divided into three 
general classes, commonly known as 
high - power, central - fire ammunition ; 
low-power, central-fire ammunition, and rim- 
fire ammunition. 

High-power ammunition is usually conceded 
to include all charges developing 2,000 to 
2,200-foot seconds velocity or over. This in- 
cludes such cartridges as the .30-1906, .30-30, 
.32 Special, and .250-3000. They are nearly 
all adapted to big-game shooting of various 
kinds. 

Low-power, central-fire ammunition includes 
cartridges like the .44-40 Winchester, .38-40 
H. V., .38-55 and .25-20. It includes cartridges 
loaded with black and smokeless powder and 
both cast and metal-cased bullets. 

The larger-calibered and more powerful of 
them are adapted to big-game shooting at 
short ranges, the others, to small-game shoot- 
ing. They are cheaper than the high-power, 
high-velocity cartridges and are still used in 
large numbers, principally by those who do 
a great amount of hunting and who do not 
reload, and must very carefully consider the 
matter of ammunition "expense. 

Rim Fire ammunition is all of comparatively 
low-power, low-velocity, and short range. It 
is by far the cheapest of any and is, therefore, 
19 



20 The Use of Rifics. 

selected when neither range, high-power nor 
high-velocity is required, or desired. 

Its accuracy, in calibers, like the .22 long- 
rifle and .22 short, is splendid, and in special 
target-brands is often really astonishing. 

The choosing of the rifle-cartridge, and the 
selection of the ammunition of that caliber 
to use, are among the most important and 
difficult problems a rifleman must solve. By 
choosing either a .30 or a .25 caliber, high- 
power cartridge the matter is greatly simpli- 
fied — particularly if the shooter reloads all, 
or a part of his ammunition. 

.The large number of factory-loads which 
are available in each of the more popular 
cartridges of these calibers, and the great va- 
riety of bullets for both target and game 
shooting, which may be obtained very reason- 
ably, enable the shooter to buy or load a variety 
of charges which are adapted to every type 
of American game or target-shooting, except 
small-bore or .22-caliber shooting. 

The .25 caliber, 86 grain metal-cased bullets 
may be used in any .25 caliber American rifle 
cartridge like the .25-20 Repeater, .25-20 single- 
shot, .25-35, .250-3000, or .25 Niedner H." P. 
Proper powder charges must, of course, be 
used in every case. 

The various 150, 170, and 180-g'rain .30 
caliber bullets may be used in the .30-30, .30 
Remington Rimless, .30-40 Krag, .30-1906, 
.30-1903, and .30 Newton. The 220-grain Krag 
bullet may be used in the .30-40 or .30-1903 



Choosing Ammunition. 21 

cartridges, but not in the .30-1906-220 as the 
contours of the .30-40 and .30-1906-220-grain 
bullets are made differently — the two styles to 
suit different types of chambering. 

No steel-jacketed hunting or target, rifle- 
ammunition is manufactured in this country 
in spite of countless silly newspaper reports 
to the contrary. Cupro-nickel jacketed bullets 
are jacketed with an alloy composed of ap- 
proximately 85 per cent copper and 15 per cent 
nickel. 

Copper or gilding-metal jacketed bullets are 
covered with an alloy of approximately 90 
per cent copper and 10 per cent zinc. 

The center-fire brass cartridge-cases are 
made of an alloy of approximately 70 per 
. cent copper and 30 per cent zinc. 

Metal jackets are placed on the bullets 
used for full-charges in all cartridges de- 
veloping over approximately 1,500 feet-per- 
second muzzle-velocity to prevent the fusing 
or melting of the base of the bullet by the 
heat of the powder gases. 

Higher velocity results in flatter trajectory 
(or path of the bullet), longer range, greater 
energy and tearing power, and less wind- 
drift. The user of a high-velocity cartridge, 
therefore, must worry less about shooting- 
above or below the object he wishes to hit; 
he must allow less for bullet-drift caused by 
the wind, and he will lose fewer cripples. 

On the other hand, high-power ammunition 
is more expensive than other styles; if cupro- 



The Use of Rifles. 



nickel-jacketed bullets are used, there is more 
trouble from metal-fouling in the barrel ; the 
rifle will kick harder unless the bullet is 
lightened; and if it is lightened excessively, 
the projectile is more likely to glance off small 
trees or brush in woods-shooting. The very 
light, high-velocity bullet will sometimes give 
trouble by making large and superficial, rather 
than deep and deadly wounds. 

Good killing power in a bullet is the result 
of a careful combination of good accuracy 
at hunting-ranges (usually 50 to 300 yards) ; 
high-velocity, at the point at which the game 
is struck; sufficient mass and weight of pro- 
jectile; flat trajectory (to make hitting at 
unknown ranges possible) ; and a form, size 
and type of bullet that will deliver the energy 
it possesses, most effectively. If any one of 
these points is neglected, the cartridge will not 
prove thoroughly satisfactory for game shoot- 
ing. 

The prices of different cartridges are of no 
particular consequence to a big-game hunter 
who lives in a city and who must spend $50.00 
to $500.00 or more in carfare, clothing, license, 
and guide fees, and board, to every $5.00 he 
spends for ammunition. The most expensive 
cartridge is by far the most economical if it 
enables him to kill on a shot that otherwise 
would be missed or lost. 

On the other hand, the trapper, or the back- 
woods homesteader, farmer or rifleman, who 
has very numerous opportunities for shooting, 




This design of stock looks and fits splendidly when 
used on a big-game sporting rifle. 



Choosing Ammunition. 23 

and quite often very limited resources to en- 
able him to do it, will do well to avoid the 
most expensive styles. A whole cabinet full 
of rifles are of absolutely no use and very 
little pleasure to anyone unless they are being 
shot, not once or twice a year, but on every 
available opportunity. 

Cartridge prices vary with the cost of dif- 
ferent commodities that enter into their manu- 
facture ; the price of expert labor, the cost 
of machinery and other items at that time, 
so that no set price guide may be used that 
will be accurate for any considerable length 
of time except the relative prices of the dif- 
ferent calibers. A few of the most commonly 
used cartridges, not necessarily the latest or 
most satisfactory for specialized purposes, are 
listed. This will serve as a ready reference 
when you choose your rifle cartridge. 

Relative Prices per 100 or 1000 
Cartridges 

.22 L.R. .25-20 .44-40 H.V. .25-35 .30-30 .32 Win. Spec. 

7 35 47 62 72 72 

.35 Rem. .250-3000 .30-40 .30-1906-180 .405 Win. 
79 80 95 104 114 

This comparison, however, is approximately 
accurate only when purchasing full-charge, 
factory-loaded, hunting ammunition. Reduced 
charges in the high-powers, government am- 
munition, or reloaded ammunition would all 
have different relative values. 

The ammunition question is a problem of 
selecting a cartridge that you can afford to 



24 The Use of Rifles. 

shoot and which at the same time will do the 
work. It is much more fun and usually more 
profitable, to shoot 1,000 shots a year with 
a reasonably cheap cartridge than fifty with 
some new and wonderfully exploited ballistic 
wonder that is expensive to produce, hard to 
obtain, and which is normally only sold in 
very small quantities. 

Target shots must always have the finest 
obtainable accuracy, irrespective of all . other 
qualities. Therefore, they select their ammu- 
nition from those styles and lots which de- 
velop the most accurate results in the rifle 
or rifles they are using, when tested at the 
distances at which they will usually shoot. 
Many special target-loads in .22 long-rifle, 
.30-40, and .30-1906 calibers are manufactured 
which are remarkably accurate and uniform. 

More detailed information regarding am- 
munition is always obtainable from the Na- 
tional Rifle Association, or from the com- 
mercial ammunition manufacturers who should 
be addressed as follows : 

Remington Arms Company, Inc., 
Cunard Building, 
25 Broadway, New York City. 

Winchester Repeating Arms Company, 

New Haven, Conn. 

Western Cartridge Company, East Alton, 111. 

Peters Cartridge Company, 

Cincinnati, Ohio. 
United States Cartridge Company, 

111 Broadway, New York City. 
Savage Arms Corporation, Utica, N. Y. 



Note how the cheek fits against a 
made-to-measure stock. The eye is 
directly in line with the rear sight. 



Choosing Ammunition. 25 

Charles Newton Rifle Corporation, 

1083 El/licott Square, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Dominion Cartridge Co., Limited, 

Montreal, Canada 

Most manufacturers make a wide variety 
of loaded ammunition in nearly every com- 
monly-used caliber and can usually supply 
empty cartridges, primers, and bullets for re- 
loading. 

Requests for information about powders, 
powder charges, or special loads, should be 
addressed to: 

Sporting Powder Division, 

Hercules Powder Co., 

Wilmington, Delaware, 



Sporting Powder Division, 

E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 

Wilmington, Delaware. 



CHAPTER III. 

Details of Rifle Adjustment, Sighting, 
and Use 

The Trigger-Pull 

OUR sporting magazines are filled with 
endless arguments about the relative ad- 
vantages possessed by different calibers 
of cartridges and by various styles of rifle- 
actions, but hardly a word is said about what 
is probably the most important detail about 
any rifle — its trigger-pull. 

Upon the weight, smoothness and uniformity 
of pull or let-off, depends fully 50 per cent 
of the accuracy attainable in offhand rifle- 
shooting. With those who are inclined to 
flinch badly, probably 75 per cent of the ac- 
curacy depends upon the smoothness of the 
trigger-pull. 

It is of no value to any hunter to purchase 
a very accurate weapon, select his ammuni- 
tion with great care, have the rifle fitted with 
a made-to-order stock and special sights, and 
then find that he cannot keep five consecutive 
shots on a three-foot mark at 200 yards, even 
though the rifle shoots three-inch groups from 
machine rest at that distance. 

The trigger-pull may need lightening, 
smoothing up to eliminate creep or drag, or in 
a few cases it may be necessary to make it 
both harder and smoother. 

The pull is best tested by hooking a small 
26 



Adjustments and Sighting. 



pair of scales (not fishermen's scales, for so 
many of them have the reputation of weigh- 
ing too heavily), to both ends of a wire or 
rod laid across the trigger. If the hammer 
or striker drops when 2 l / 2 to 4 pounds pull 
is applied, the adjustment is about correct 
for weight of pull on a sporting, and on most 
target rifles. If too draggy and uneven, the 
angle between the sear and nose of the ham- 
mer on the cocking piece must be changed. 
If too heavy, the depth of bite which the sear 
obtains upon the hammer notch or cocking 
piece must be decreased by carefully grinding 
off the bearing surfaces. 

This job should only be undertaken by a 
mechanic who understands the careful fitting 
of steel surfaces. If the shooter does not 
possess this ability, the rifle should be sent 
back to the factory or to some gunsmith who 
is a credit to his profession. 

On small-caliber target rifles, a set-trigger, 
of which the Schuetzen double-set trigger is 
by far the best type, or a very lightly adjusted 
single trigger is a very great help in obtaining 
accurate shooting. On a high-power hunting- 
rifle the set-trigger has no place, in my es- 
timation. 

A smooth three or four-pound pull is much 
to be preferred, especially in cold weather, 
when the shooter must often wear gloves. 
The main consideration is that the pull be 
smooth and uniform; not how much weight 
it takes to release the hammer. 



28 The Use of Rifles. 

The Fit of the Stock 

The comb of the rifle-stock should provide 
a secure and comfortable place to rest the 
shooter's cheek, so that the rifle may be held 
more steadily, especially in off-hand, snap- 
shooting. If the stock fits the face properly the 
eye will look directly through the sights as 
soon as the rifle is thrown to the shoulder 
and it will not be necessary to hunt around 
for them while trying to aim at game. 

Any woods-hunter will realize how difficult 
it is to align rifle-sights at game, either late 
in the evening or early in the morning, when 
the light is dim, and when . a very large per- 
centage of the biggest heads and the best 
chances present themselves. The advantages 
of a perfectly-fitting stock that will auto- 
matically help to align the sights on the mark, 
is obvious. 

The best plan to follow is to try out each 
of the rifles "and shotguns that can be obtained, 
to measure the drop at comib and heel, the 
length, width and pitch of the butt-plate, the 
length of pull, width, depth and circumference 
of the grip, and the distance through stock, 
or stock and cheekpiece, where it touches the 
face. Then choose those dimensions which fit 
you the best. 

You will also want to know the distance 
in front of the trigger where the left hand 
grips the fore-end, the shape and size of the 
fore-end at that point, and the distance from 
the trigger to the front end of the fore-end. 










(Photo Courtesy U. P. R. R.) 

Big game looks like this when viewed through 
a telescope rifle-sight. Hold the intersection of 
the cross-hairs on the spot to be hit. 



Adjustments and Sighting. 29 



You should examine the different combs, 
both the full, rounded ones and the sharp, 
thin ones, and see how far they extend up on 
the tang and note which type feels more com- 
fortable to your face, also whether to use a 
cast-off or a pistol-grip, and the amount, style 
and position of the checkering. 

Then there is the butt plate. Just as the 
effectiveness of a soldier or a hunter depends 
largely upon the type and fit of his footwear, 
so does the speed and effectiveness with which 
a rifle may be gotten into action depend largely 
upon the shape, size, pitch and degree-of- 
roughness of its butt-plate. Your whole hunt- 
ing trip may be a success or a failure by the 
fraction of a second needed to make the 
snap-shot at a rapidly-disappearing buck. On 
such occasions you have no time to waste in 
adjusting a slippery, sticky or uncomfortable 
butt-plate. The time to guard against this is 
when you make the design. 

In obtaining these measurements there are 
two important things to be taken into con- 
sideration. One is to wear the maximum 
amount of clothing that will be worn when 
using the rifle. If it is a big-game rifle, dress 
as you would on a big-game hunting trip — 
heavy underwear and all. Clothing makes a 
big difference in the fit of the stock. 

If it is a target-rifle, put on your shooting- 
coat, get down in the prone position, and then 
be measured. Take nothing for granted while 
listening to the ideas of other people, but get 



30 The Use of Riiies. 

suited yourself. No rifle stock can be ex- 
pected to fit everyone any more than a certain 
size of shoes, hat or coat, could do so. 

Men differ in width of face, length of neck 
and arms, and length and size of fingers and 
hand. They also place the butt-plate to dif- 
ferent positions on their shoulder or upper 
arm, while shooting. 

All of these differences of build and posi- 
tion make it impossible for any one set of 
measurements to fit us all, but different details 
have been worked out that will usually satisfy 
most anyone. 

If your rifle-stock does not fit, and the 
weapon handles awkwardly, uncertainly and 
slowly, the first thing to do is to obtain the 
measurements of a stock that will correct 
these details. 

For a big-game rifle, whether it be a bolt- 
action, a lever, a pump, or an automatic, the 
following dimensions will be found to suit 
the majority. 

For men with short arms, wide chests and 
short necks, choose a drop of l}i to \% inches 
at comb, 2*4 to 2 l / 2 inches at heel, measure- 
ments taken from the point-blank sighting of 
the rifle. Length of pull 13% to 14^ inches, 
center of trigger to center of butt-plate. A 
shotgun butt-plate 5 inches long by 1^ to 2 
inches wide, depending upon the overall size of 
rifle, should be chosen. The pistol-grip should 
be 4<)4 to 5^4 inches in circumference, and 3% 
to 3>{> inches from trigger to grip cap. 



Adjustments and Sighting. 31 

Men having long arms, long necks, rather 
narrow chests and long hands and fingers, 
should choose a drop at comb of 1^ to 2 
inches, and 2]/ 2 to, 3^2 inches at the heel, with 
a stock length of 14 to 14^4 inches. Make 
the grip 5^4 to h l / 2 inches in circumference 
and have the length from trigger to cap 3^2 
to 4 inches. Beautiful examples of special 
stocks made to these or other reasonable di- 
mensions, in both rifle and shotgun style, may 
be obtained for any make of rifle, either bolt, 
lever, or slide-action, from any one of several 
gunsmiths specializing in this work. 

Among those who make very satisfactory 
special rifle stocks and whose work I know 
is good, are Frank L. Hoffman, Box 251, 
Fredericksburg, Va. ; and James Webb, West 
Fairview, Pa. Webb does his best work on 
the shotgun style of rifles, while Hoffman 
is more versatile and makes both with the 
addition .of a very beautiful model combining 
the heavy comb and butt-plate of the trap- 
shotgun with the graceful lines of the rifle. 
He also does fine blueing. 

The rifle factories can nearly all supply 
stocks made to special dimensions, but in 
regular models, at special prices. The private 
gunsmith can provide most anything. The 
cost is in proportion to the quality of work- 
manship desired. 

A perfectly-fitting stock is not only a rifle 
crank's freak idea. It is the real dope on a 
rifle, especially on one that is used for off- 
hand, snap-shooting. 



32 The Use of Riiics. 

Rifle Sights and Sighting 

Sights are placed on a rifle so that each 
bullet may be directed where it will prove to 
be most effective. 

The front sight is held on, below, above, or 
to one side of the object to be hit. It is then 
centered in the aperture of a peep rear sight, 
or in the notch of an open barrel sight, and 
when both seem to be properly aligned, the 
trigger is squeezed, pulled, or yanked, as the 
case may be, and the shot is fired. 

If the shot was correctly held and pulled, 
and the sights properly adjusted for the range 
and existing conditions, a bullseye should be 
the result. 

In spite of this information being available 
a good many of us can't keep them all in the 
bullseye and, therefore, it is necessary to 
move the sight or sights to bring this to pass. 
By following a few simple rules we will save 
ammunition, time and temper and eventually 
get the sights properly adjusted. 

Rules of Sighting 

(1) Moving the rear sight to the left makes 
the rifle shoot farther to the left. 

(2) Moving the rear sight to the right 
makes the rifle shoot farther to the right. 

(3) Raising the rear sight makes the rifle 
shoot higher. 

^4) Lowering the rear sight makes the rifle 
shoot lower. 



Adjustments and Sighting. 33 

' (5) Moving the front sight to the left 
makes the rifle shoot farther to the right. 

(6) Moving the front sight to the right 
makes the rifle shoot farther to the left. 

(7) Filing off the front sight or putting 
on a lower one makes the rifle shoot higher. 

(8) Substituting a higher front sight makes 
the rifle shoot lower. 

(9) The higher the sights are above the 
bore of the barrel, the flatter the trajectory 
or path of the bullet will appear to be. 

Rifle sights are divided into two general 
classes, hunting sights and target sights. These 
are both included in the three radically dif- 
ferent sighting systems : open sights, peep 
sights and telescope sights. 

Hunting Sights 

In both big-game and small-game' shooting 
the front sight must contrast most strongly 
with browns, grays, reds, blacks and very 
occasionally with white. This immediately 
eliminates all black or iron front-sights such 
as are frequently seen on sporting-rifles as 
they come from the factory. Alloy or com- 
position beads, known as "gold" beads, and 
ivory, or white enamel beads, show up most 
distinctly against these colors, blended as they 
are in the hunting field, and as a result, ex- 
perienced hunters usually operate on the iron 
front-sight with a hammer and brass slug 
and substitute an ivory or "gold" head. A 
black front-sight in the woods is usually a 



34 The Use of Rities. 

sure sign of a "green-horn" or a target-shot, 
gone wrong. 

As white shows up more sharply against 
greens or reds than does "gold," the ivory 
sight is most popular among moose and deer 
hunters of the East, while the "gold" bead is 
more frequently seen where there is more 
open shooting with fewer green, red, or brown 
trees for a background, and where more snow 
is visible under average hunting conditions. 
A "gold" bead shows up black against snow or 
ice, while the ivory sight looks white or yel- 
low. 

The open rear sight, especially if it has a 
diamond, inverted V, or vertical line of ivory 
in its center, is fine for snap-shooting at moose 
and deer, when used with a large-size front- 
sight for brush-shooting, but on long shots at 
goats or sheep this combination is hopelessly 
outclassed for accuracy by the receiver or 
tang-peep with a smaller, "gold" bead front. 

Unless the rear sight is set unusually far 
forward on the barrel, it will always blur 
badly, for most men over thirty or forty years 
of age, and all those who are far-sighted. 

The receiver sights, like the Lyman No. 48, 
are far preferable to the tang sights for most 
game shooting when used on hard-kicking, 
high-power rifles of .30-40 caliber and over. 
The 1-A or No. 103 Lyman, with large aper- 
ture, and the Marble flexible rear, are the best 
for use on .25-35's, .30-30's and the like. 



Adjustments and Sighting. 35 

One thing should always be borne in mind 
and that is, in game shooting, a very large 
percentage of the shots are fired when the 
light is poor and when it is raining, and are 
at rapidly-moving, and large objects. There- 
fore, the sights must be large, distinct, and 
easily seen. Jack sights will make a rather 
poor showing on a two-inch bullseye at 100 
yards on a target range, but most big game, 
and especially deer and moose, have a decided 
aversion to posing in front of bullseyes, or on 
peaks or bare rocks — as some artists like to 
show them — and a 1/16-inch bead or a pin- 
head is hard to see in a hurry. 

I have stood on the top of a dead pine stub 
and have tried to draw a bead on the shoulder 
of a deer that was standing not over 60 yards 
off, when using a rifle fitted with a large-size 
"gold" bead front, and a Lyman 48, with large 
aperture, and had great difficulty in seeing 
either deer or front sight as it was raining 
in sheets and blowing a 30 or 40-mile gale. 
A black-bar front sight would have been ab- 
solutely invisible under those conditions. 

The same combination was successfully used 
in smashing small rocks at 300 yards in clear 
weather, even if the big front sight did seem 
to cover all, out-doors. 

Target Sights 

In target shooting, "gold" and ivory beads, 
pinheads, German silver blades and the like 
are all hopelessly outclassed by the flat-bar and 
aperture, iron front sights. 



86 The Use of Riies. 

Nothing but these two styles of iron sights 
should be used against a black bullseye on a 
white background. Men with defective eyes 
or those who wear glasses will usually prefer 
the flat bar. Those more fortunate will favor 
the aperture. 

In rear sights nothing but a double mi- 
crometer or a vernier iron sight need be seri- 
ously considered unless it be one like the 
Springfield sight which may be adjusted by a 
micrometer. Beware of those sights having 
no wind-gauge. 

Modern military and small-bore target shoot- 
ing is such a highly specialized sport that all 
hunting-rifles or sights are hopelessly out- 
classed on the target-range. 

The Telescope 

The telescope sight is the nearest thing we 
have to an ideal sight for use in shooting 
squirrels, woodchucks, crows, coyotes, geese 
and the like, for most men to use in indoor 
small-bore shooting, and for everyone having 
defective eyesight to use in outdoor small- 
bore shooting, especially when the light is poor. 

It is also very effective for use in long- 
range military rifle target-shooting by those 
who have become accustomed to it. Sometimes 
the mountings are moved so that the marks- 
man has difficulty in getting a shot on the 
target and then there is trouble as a scope 
is not as fool-proof as a peep-sight, nor are 
its graduations as easy to record or to re- 
member. 



Adjustments and Sighting. 37 



A scope of 3 to 5 power is often of much 
help in shooting sheep, goats, or other game 
in open country, but on a deer drive it is 
nothing but a nuisance as it is always becom- 
ing entangled in the brush, the lenses become 
wet or fogged, and the field is usually too 
narrow for use at running deer. For picking 
up game on rock-slides, or when partly con- 
cealed in grass, leaves, or brush, it is splendid. 

A good many hunters do not seem to know 
how to sight-in a rifle and are continually 
missing game because they cannot get the 
group located at the spot they wish to hit. 

Many recommend that rifles for off-hand 
shooting be sighted in from the military prone 
position. This is the easiest and surest way 
to locate the group, but in many cases the rifle, 
especially if it is a light-barreled, high-power 
weapon, will shoot considerably lower or 
higher when shot off-hand with the prone ele- 
vation. 

I much prefer to shoot standing and to 
rest the elbows on a barrel, box, table or fence 
rail, if necessary, to make the final adjustment, 
as then the weapon will actually shoot where 
it is aimed as the arms and body will absorb 
the recoil almost exactly the same as in off- 
hand shooting. 

When shooting at a bullseye target to sight 
in a hunting-rifle, don't be afraid to have 
the bullseye too large. A medium or large- 
sized "gold" or ivory bead front sight will 
cover a surprisingly large amount of space 
on a target at a range of 200 yards. 



38 The Use of Rides. 

Aim right in the middle of the bullseye — or 
cover it entirely — and shoot five to ten shots 
before changing the sights. Make the correc- 
tions from the three or four, or seven or eight 
shots grouped closest together, for they will be 
the normal group. 

Another thing to bear in mind is to set the 
point-blank sighting for the closest range at 
which you will probably do one-half or more 
of your snap-shooting. There is nearly al- 
ways plenty of time to hold over or to raise 
the rear sight on a long shot, but I have never 
seen the man who was fast enough to lower 
his sights and then stop a deer on a snap- 
shot in thick brush, at 30 to 70 yards. . 

If you doubt the correctness of this advice, 
hang a bean or tomato can, or a large bottle, 
on a twig ten feet or so above the ground 
so that no one can see his bullets strike— near 
the can— and then dare your deer-crew to hit it 
at 50 yards. If it is struck twice in every five 
shots your crowd have their rifles sighted 
better than the average. 

The average hunter has visions of : killing a 
deer at a quarter of a mile and sights his 
rifle accordingly. Consequently he never 
knows where he is shooting at short range 
until he misses a couple of easy shots and 
spends half an hour shooting at stones and 
stumps trying to Correct the trouble. 

Theory is a fine thing in rifle shooting, and 
a high-velocity cartridge cuts out a large 
amount of guess work on long shots, .but just 



Adjustments and Sighting. 39 

the same it pays to sight in every rifle very 
carefully for short-range snap-shooting as well 
as for the long-range work. 

For practical woods-shooting practice I 
never found anything equal to snap-shooting 
at thin rocks, small pieces of board and 
bunches of grass, and similar marks, partly 
camouflaged by natural surroundings. 

If the country is at all hilly, get on one 
hillside and break every stone within range 
on the other. Mix up the shots, shoot at 50 
yards on one, 200 on the next, 125 on the third, 
and shoot fast and empty the magazine. 

Shoot several "rallies" and you will learn 
things about your holding, the trajectory of 
your cartridge, and the appearance of the 
front sight on marks located at different 
ranges that will surprise you. Much of this 
would never have been discovered by shoot- 
ing from the prone position at bullseye tar- 
gets. You can't do this legally in Pennsyl- 
vania, however, as they have a Sullivan law 
for riflemen that provides a penalty of $25.00 
per shot for each bullet fired at anything other 
than game which accidentally or otherwise hits 
a live tree, or travels more than 15 yards 
beyond the target. Ten shots, even with a .22 
long rifle, will stand you $250.00 and costs. 

Every sensible rifleman will provide a back- 
stop for the bullets before he shoots at any 
target, but in Pennsylvania it will pay you 
to do so. 

In sighting-in a rifle for target shooting, 
split the bullseye, or hold at six o'clock, as 



40 The Use of Riiies. 

you prefer, and change the sights after each 
three shots unless the range is short and you 
are a particularly close holder. The first two 
shots will usually be wild, especially with a 
small caliber, low-power rifle. Three ten-shot 
groups should be enough to test not only the 
sighting, but the approximate accuracy of the 
ammunition and rifle. 

A small tag or name-plate, clearly marked 
with the average elevations for different 
ranges is a handy thing to add to the stock 
of any rifle. Stick to one lot of full-charge 
ammunition on. a hunting trip, have the weapon 
accurately sighted for that lot and you will 
seldom have reason to explain unaccountable, 
easy misses. 

The Sling 

The sling, or sling-strap, is a leather or 
webbing strap which is fastened to swivels 
located at the front end of the fore-end and 
just in front of the toe of the butt. It has 
two uses: to carry the rifle on the back, and 
to steady the weapon while aiming. It is the 
greatest aid I know of to help hold a target 
rifle rigidly, if it is properly adjusted. It is 
also the worst nuisance that may be attached 
to a rifle for deer or bear shooting in thick 
brush. 

For open shooting, either on the range or in 
hunting, it is a great help either in the prone 
or sitting position, a fair help while kneeling, 
but of very little aid while shooting off-hand, 
except in a high wind. 



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Adjustments and Sighting. 41 

The great drawback to its use in hunting is 
that the rifleman becomes so accustomed to its 
help that he eventually becomes a very poor 
off-hand shot when obliged to shoot without it. 

To adjust the sling, turn the loop half-way 
around to the side, run the arm through it, 
and pull the leather up near the shoulder and 
fasten with the keeper. Then grasp the fore- 
end, with the leather on the right side of the 
wrist. Keep the sling tight. It will seem very 
uncomfortable at first, but afterwards it is as 
comfortable as an old shoe. 

Gleaning the Rifle 

The main idea in cleaning a rifle is to make 
the barrel chemically clean and to do it as soon 
as possible after it is fired. Hot water, or 
even cold water should be poured through the 
barrel for two or three minutes. Then dry 
it thoroughly and apply one of the heavy com- 
mercial gun-greases. Oil is too thin and is 
likely to run out of the barrel and leave it 
exposed to the action of moisture which will 
rust it. If a heavy, sticky deposit is left in the 
barrel that is not easily removed by the water, 
the brisk use of a brass scratch-brush will take 
it out. Cupro-nickel metal-fouling is removed 
with a stiff scratch-brush or by the use of 
ammonia, metal-fouling solution. 

The hot-water method of cleaning is avail- 
able almost anywhere and is usually very 
effective — and cheap. Many prefer to swab 
out the bore with several patches soaked in 



42 The Use of Rifies. 

28 per cent ammonia. The barrel is then thor- 
oughly dried by pushing dry patches through 
it. It is then greased with a commercial gun 
grease. 

I have used the latter method for at least 
fifteen years and never had a bit of trouble 
from pitting when cleaning in this manner. 
The method is hardly available on long- 
distance hunting trips, as the ammonia gener- 
ates enough gas from shaking to blow out the 
.cork or burst the bottle, unless a rubber cork 
is used, and is tied in ; and the bottle is only 
about one-third full. Even so, beware when 
the cork is removed, lest the liquid be dashed 
up into your eyes. 

There is no royal road to proficiency in rifle 
shooting. Suggestions will help ; ballistic in- 
formation will frequently be valuable ; watch- 
ing others will give you plenty of ideas ; but 
there is only one practical method of learning 
to hit the bull's-eye. That is : — 

Get on the range or in the fields — and 
practice. 



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